Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Stellan Skarsgard on 'Dragon Tattoo,' Not Pleased with 'The Avengers' and the 'Good Will Hunting' Scarf

You will find certain stars that you simply meet throughout interview periods that are not worried about "remaining on message." Stellan Skarsgard is just one of individuals stars. For instance: Skarsgard freely confesses that he isn't pleased with his role in 'The Avengers.' Plus there is his relationship together with his boy, Alexander, of 'True Blood' fame: "I never help my children and that i never encourage them and that i never provide them with any advice." So, yes, that's interesting. Stellan Skarsgard does appear pleased with his role as Martin Vanger -- the brother of the girl who disappeared in 1966 -- in David Fincher's version of 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo.' Within this pretty wide-raging discussion, Skarsgard talks freely and freely about his ideas on Enya's presence throughout a pivotal scene, the origin material for 'Dragon Tattoo,' his unfulfilling role in 'The Avengers,' his early operate in 'The Search for Red-colored October,' and the scarf in 'Good Will Hunting.' I am happy that Enya's not playing at this time. Yeah! After I questioned your boy, Alexander, for 'Melancholia,' he'd Pink Floyd playing within the room. He really loves Pink Floyd... Yeah. And it is much better than Enya. Was Enya really playing when you were filming, or was that put in later? It had been a concept from David Fincher, I believe, to simply switch it on in the end have there been. And That I was like [sarcastically], "Yes! It's fantastic." Since it is. It's brilliant. It will play well for your scene. Yeah, it will, does not it? Was that scene as intense to film in internet marketing would be to watch? I can not imagine you will find laughs aplenty gong on. Between your goes laugh. You switch off and on. None people are actually Method stars, we do not get to be the figures. Therefore we had an enjoyable experience doing the work. But throughout the takes, obviously, it's very intense. That which was your opinion from the Swedish version? I believed it was very good. Now I believe it's muddled -- I can not say that which was in that one and that which was for the reason that one. I believe this version has characteristics that the first did not have. Certainly. Like what? It is a David Fincher movie. It's produced by among the best company directors on the planet and it is compiled by among the best authors on the planet [Steve Zaillian]. I believe that the connection between your two leading figures is much better in that one of computer is at the first. But it is also two different assumes exactly the same material, so there is no real reason for saying who's winning. Being an actor, can there be frustration whenever a movie that you are was remade? You'd it take place -- Al Pacino changed you in 'Insomnia.' No. I love Pacino. Well, I actually do, too. [Laughs] But everyone see what world you are residing in. Why it's remade? People don't wish to read subtitles. That's one reason. And when somebody great will it -- 'Insomnia' ended with a good director [Christopher Nolan] -- i quickly do not have anything against it. They are attempting to make another version of something that's good so more and more people can easily see it. It's one factor whether it's a Bergman film, produced by an excellent auteur in Europe along with a Hollywood studio states, "Well, which was a awesome film. Let us remake it and take off everything that's offensive and employ a generic director to get it done.Inch Then, it simply shows the stupidity from the studio because then they are making something completely different. But, within this situation, aside from the 2 primary figures, it is a pretty generic crime story. But it is now adopted by an auteur director in the usa -- because Fincher is definitely an auteur. So, everybody's happy about this. Well, I understand the director from the first film isn't happy about this. I guess that's understandable from his perspective. I am not too protective by what I have done. That is apparent using what you stated about 'Insomnia.' I had been proud simply because they clearly loved things i did. Thanks. Perhaps you have read 'The Girl using the Dragon Tattoo'? No, I've not browse the book. I've not either. My girlfriend has and she's mixed onto it. Yeah, my girlfriend is, too. I am talking about my spouse, she's explained everything about this, so ... and that i trust her. Here there exists a large Hollywood production being shot in Sweden, which does not happen frequently. Would you've been pissed should you were not contacted? No, because I do not go being an insult if individuals don't approach me about stuff that I enjoy do. Casting a movie, you could have the finest stars inside a film also it does not work. It is a combination of all the elements. Again, there's not lots of American productions that occur in Sweden. Should you were not considered, you would not think, seriously, the number of well-known, respected Swedish stars exist employed in the U.S.? I'd most likely be considered a little upset if he'd have cast a Russian actor who had been really bad within the role. It requires a great deal to offend me. Why Russian? I'm not sure. While he could not be Swedish. And when Pacino might have tried it, I could have been fine by using it. If had arrived at Sweden, I'd have cooked for him. Well, he's taken roles of your stuff before. I believe Pacino should re-do all my roles. Even 'Good Will Hunting'? [Laughing] 'Good Will Hunting'... I am likely to say, I am unsure that certain works too. I am likely to disagree along with you on that certain. OK, maybe not every them. Would you watch 'True Blood' regularly? No, no. I watch it occasionally. Occasionally. I do not abide by it. I do not have enough time for your. I do not abide by it regularly, however i do watch it now and then to determine where it is going. It is extremely well crafted. And i believe Alexander is getting an enjoyable experience doing the work. He explained his story about how exactly he found visit you and also he ended up in 'Zoolander.' [Laughs and shakes mind] Yeah. I wasn't even involved with it. Because, as I have stated, I never help my children and that i never encourage them and that i never provide them with any advice. It's their careers and they've to really make it themselves. So he most likely met my agent and that is the way it happened -- and all of a sudden he's burning in a service station. Your 'Smoke Jumpers' character on 'Entourage': was that actually according to Werner Herzog or have there been other influences happening there? It wasn't Herzog whatsoever. This is the perception, though. Yeah, I understand, while he was known as "Verner." But it is nothing like Herzog. And what I am doing there's like a long time of expertise of various company directors put into one. But it is just for fun. I am not likely to title them. I understand Werner Herzog and he isn't like this whatsoever. However the obsessive side from it is general -- all company directors are control freaks and incredibly obsessive. I recieve the sensation that company directors as kids, every one has were built with a childhood with little connection with other kids. They built their very own reality plus they continue doing it. It is a funny breed, company directors. I have never heard it put this way before. A minimum of the great ones. Obviously you've generic company directors which are just kind of mechanics. You are in 'The Avengers.' Mm-hm. OK, now Personally i think bad getting that up. No, number.. obviously I'm. But not so much. There's lots of folks 'The Avengers' And That I was thinking, How on the planet will you get all individuals superheroes inside a movie and fit them and have a tale that really progresses? And, also you need to satisfy lots of stars with a minimum of reasonable material. Have you feel satisfied? No. Not necessarily. But I am not among the superheroes. However, you were built with a large role in 'Thor.' Yeah, but here it is a small role. I've normal clothes and just appear briefly because individuals with funny costumes -- that's the core from it. But, Joss Whedon, it is a fantastic pure mechanical try to develop a story because of so many heroes that really works. I believe the script labored. What it will likely be if this arrives, I can not tell. And today both Kenneth Branagh and Patty Jenkins are out because the director of 'Thor 2.' I question what is going to happen there? I've no clue. I understood Branagh wouldn't, I did not think so. I do not think he'd do a different one. The concept right from the start was that it hadn't been serial to him. It had been one factor. Also it would be a very specific story where both mobile phone industry's were introduced. The Shakespearean turf ... but he was great dealing with and i believe the end result was excellent. When they requested you, what type of director can you want? I believe what Marvel continues to be very wise with, they have been picking excellent company directors -- not always experts on visual effects and large movie-making. What they desire are company directors who're good with figures and stars. It is simply as with the very first 'Pirates from the Caribbean' film: It isn't what Disney wanted. They attempted to fireplace both Gore Verbinski and The Actor-brad Pitt. Gore Verbinski's take was he focused on the stars and gave them space -- and also the audience loves it. What remember regarding your experience around the group of 'The Search for Red-colored October'? It had been my first large studio production and that i is at awe after i drove with the Melrose gate at Vital the very first time. But, also, I did not comprehend it. Since it is this type of small role and they are investing a lot money flying me top class from Sweden and set me up inside a luxury hotel for 2 days for your little role. And they known as me before we began shooting and stated, "Hey, we would like you to get it done in Russian." And That I stated, "You are kidding? You have 100s of excellent Russian stars in La. Hire someone else." And So I did not need to do it in Russian. At this time there is a Russian actor giving a job interview saying, "As lengthy because they did not cast a Swedish actor for your part, I wouldn't happen to be upset." Yeah! "Now, take a look at me, I am depriving still!" Personally i think that you simply set a shawl-putting on trend together with your character in 'Good Will Hunting.' Next movie, everybody began putting on jewelry like this. There have been many people that were not impressed with that scarf. Why? I'm not sure! I believed it was really awesome, too. I am not kidding, I believe you began a trend. "Why have you got that silly scarf?" Because professors aren't all tweed. It wasn't my idea, it had been the costume designer's idea. However it was totally consistent with mine since the first factor I stated was, "I am a college professor -- no tweed." Which was an ailment because I needed a rock 'n roll professor greater than a tweed professor. I would like a professor that fucks his students. And That I first got it! But it is true, the jewelry have grown to be extremely popular. I had been just putting on it loosely having a jacket, you realize. But it is additionally a little Italian, is not it? Whenever you shot that, did you possess an concept that it might be the success it switched to be? No. No clue. Somebody requested me, "What's happening, Stellan?" I stated, "I am shooting a little film with a few very first time authors. It is a small, independent film." Also it was. However everybody first viewed it. Everybody first viewed it. However it had some great elements. Not just a very, excellent script by Matt and Ben, they'd a really, excellent director [Gus Van Sant]. And Robin Williams plus some great stars. And Matt was great inside it. And Ben, too. Which was this type of great shoot And shooting with Gus ... he's so timid. So discrete. You begin shooting and following the first take, he's like [whispering], "Let us try it again.Inch And you're doing so over and over. And also you seem like you are doing the work again not while he wasn't pleased with it, but while he loved it a lot he really wants to view it again. Therefore we grew to become the much more bold and the much more bold. Not to mention Robin Williams he just chimes to something crazy after which he goes down another path and begins improvising things. He will get a lot material, so he is able to create what he wants in the scene. Are you aware what else it had? A very great scarf. Along with a excellent scarf! I did not realize that this scarf would turn that into such a millionaire. You are able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Friday, December 16, 2011

The Most Effective Five Movies Of 2011 Are...

We've been counting lower the most effective ten movies of 2011 all week extended, plus it all comes lower with this: the best five. Which movies outshine "Attack the Block," "The Descendants," "50/50," "The Muppets" and "X-Males: Top ClassInch to land on our 5 best list? You'll be able to uncover at this time around by watching our live-stream announcement within our five favorite movies from 2011. Related: #10 Movie of year: "Attack the Block" #9 Movie of year: "The Descendants" #8 Movie of year: "50/50" #7 Movie of year: "The Muppets" #6 Movie of year: "X-Males: Top ClassInch All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV each day at 8 a.m. ET for that Better of 2011 lists. Then, showed up at MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. after we reveal our top chioces of year!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

LA Film Experts: Yun Jung-Hee Best Actress, Kirsten Dunst Runner-Up Plummer, Chastain Take Supporting Awards

La Experts Association voting is happening with results published on their own Twitter feed. Those who win to date are the following: (Refresh for updates) BEST ACTRESS, Champion: Yun Jung-hee, “Poetry.” BEST ACTRESS, Runner-Up: Kirsten Dunst, “Melancholia.” BEST INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL: “Spark to be.” BEST DOCUMENTARY/NONFICTION, Champion: “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” BEST DOCUMENTARY/NONFICTION: RunnerUp, “The Arbor.” BEST Script, Champion: Asghar Farhadi, “A Separation.” BEST Script, Runner-Up: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, “The Descendants.” BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, Champion: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.” BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, Runner-Up: Patton Oswalt, “Young Adult.” BEST SUPPORTING. ACTRESS, Champion: Jessica Chastain, “Coriolanus,” “The Debt,” “The Help,” “Take Shelter,” “Texas Killing Fields,” “Tree of Existence” BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, Runner-Up: Jesse McTeer, “Albert Nobbs.” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, Champion: Emmanuel Lubezki, “The Tree of Existence.” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, Runner-Up: Cao Yu, “City of Existence and Dying.” BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN, Champion: Dante Ferretti, “Hugo.” BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN, Runner-Up: Maria Djurkovic, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” BEST MUSIC/SCORE, Champion: Caffeine Siblings, “Hanna.” BEST MUSIC/SCORE, Runner-Up: High cliff Martinez, “Drive.”

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Rock 'n' roll pearls from Oyster drummer

It had been all rock 'n' roll with no bull Monday evening in the preem of Magnolia's "Roadie" in the Angelika. The film follows a roadie who returns the place to find Queens after being fired through the Blue Oyster Cult. Based on Albert Bouchard, original drummer for that Cult, the pic is accurate. He continued to regale partygoers in the Parkside Lounge with real tales of sacrilege and scatology in the road. In the afterparty, visitors were also treated to some musical performance through the film's director and authors, Michael and Gerald Cuesta, and original tunes by Jill Hennessy, who stars within the pic with Bobby Cannavale and Ron Eldard. :- Alexa Harrison Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Friday, December 9, 2011

A marathon to change percenter law

Ron Siegel has handled to maneuver on from talent management to another career where, he notes with bemusement, he doesn't are afflicted by such things as whether a person has Dish TV or DirecTV inside their trailers.But he isn't quit by having an problem that has bedeviled the management business for several years: finding use their clients.Formally, it is a no-no for managers to formally negotiate deals regarding their clients. Unofficially, it continues anyway, using what the California Top Court referred to as "standard operating procedure," particularly for managers trying to enhance new talent who otherwise wouldn't have a very shot getting an authorized agent.Siegel has challenged the Talent Agencies Act, the problem law that holds that only licensed talent agents can "procure" employment. It's the state's try to strike a division between licensed talent agents together with other, unlicensed reps.Siegel's Marathon Entertainment represented actress Rosa Blasi, a star in the Lifetime drama "Strong Medicine," and after she stopped needing to pay him commissions, the dispute visited the problem Labor Commissioner, who voided her contract with Siegel for that reason he'd completed the task from the talent agent without any license.The problem made its approach to the problem Top Court, which upheld the Talent Agencies Act together with the authority in the Labor Commissioner to void contracts for illegal procurement. It did condition the commissioner had discretion to partially enforce the contracts for management services legally made.'No criminal activity'Siegel is again asking the problem High Court to think about his situation, though a twist: He claims the Labor Commissioner's enforcement in the Talent Agencies Act is "legally unsupportable," because in 1982 condition congress got criminal penalties for smashing the act."The thirteenth Amendment guarantees all Us citizens the legal right to compensation unless of course obviously duly billed from the crime," his brief states. "With no criminal activity connected while using TAA, disturbing an individual's contractual rights to compensation, as well as killing such rights, does not have proper legal foundation."After a period of challenging the Talent Agencies Act, Siegel is becoming representing themselves, getting punished his previous legal team at Fox & Spillane for neglecting to say the "no penalty" argument. An arbitrator around the sides with Fox & Spillance, rejecting his malpractice claims, reducing courts declined to reverse that ruling. Siegel may also be asking the problem Top Court to weigh in on procedural questions of whether arbitrators exceeded their energy.In this particular latest challenge for the Talent Agencies Act, Siegel has come up with 143 management companies to produce letters promoting the problem Top Court to think about the issue. You are able to stir their passion round the problem. Managers have extended contended what the law states remains roughed up, employed by clients to escape needing to pay commissions after they start new representation. And so they get some good sympathy from legal students. Within the decision, the problem Top Court even reported a 2003 law review article, which learned that "the current controlling plan's ineffective." (Furthermore, it learned that the growing volume of managers participating in production was raising troubling questions of conflict of curiosity.)The problem Top Court will rule by late The month of the month of january whether or not this will hear Siegel's appeal, but it is a sizable "if." Its 2008 decision noted that even though act "provides no treatment for its breach," it does not "repudiate the generally relevant and extended-standing rule of severability." They reported the Civil Code adopted in 1872: "Where a contract has several distinct objects, which no less than is approved, then one no less than is against the law, entirely or just, anything is void concerning the latter and valid concerning the relaxation."Our prime court was encouraging to managers' complaints, acknowledging the present system was used just like a "blunt and unwieldy instrument," nonetheless they found the final outcome they "no authority to rewrite the controlling plan."Siegel argues a legal court has not ruled round the approach he's now presented -- the administrative agency can't create a remedy with a law. Because they hasn't quit, he's produced out a brand new job inside the eco-friendly movement. He's partner in Eco-friendly Garmento, which sells multiple-use bags for your dry cleaning business. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Adele crowned 2011 iTunes champ

Apple's iTunes store, the largest music retailer in the country, has crowned Adele as 2011's sales champion. While iTunes does not release its sales figures, it listed Brit thrush Adele's "21" as its bestselling album of the year, and the vocalist's "Rolling in the Deep" as its bestselling song. To date, "21" has shifted a total of 4.8 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. British folk quartet Mumford & Sons' long-legged 2010 release "Sigh No More" was the No. 2 album, succeeded by the deluxe edition of Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter IV," Kanye West and Jay-Z's "Watch the Throne" and Coldplay's late-year hit "Mylo Xyloto." Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" came in a distant No. 6; sales of the vocalist's million-selling package were no doubt couped by Amazon.com's 99-cent sales strategy for the release. Pop dominated the top five songs: Adele's hit was joined in the top five by LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," Katy Perry's "Firework," Bruno Mars' "Grenade" and Cee-Lo Green's euphemistically retitled "Forget You." David Fincher's "The Social Network" was the most-downloaded movie at iTunes, followed by "Limitless," "No Strings Attached," "Just Go With It" and "The Lincoln Lawyer." An episode of "The Walking Dead" was iTunes' top-selling TV offering, followed by offerings from "Glee," "Breaking Bad," "Sons of Anarchy" and "Gossip Girl." Unsurprisingly, the bestselling non-fiction book was Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

REVIEW: Tilda Swinton Keeps Mother-Boy Horror Story We must Discuss Kevin on course - Barely

If I had been being a film critic in 1968, I'd have informed expecting mothers against seeing Rosemary oil oil’s Baby. Today I’d exactly the same factor about We must Discuss Kevin: You don’t know what you're able receive once your little bundle finally arrives, plus it’s probably don't to think about it in advance. We must Discuss Kevin might be the Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay’s third feature plus an adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s acclaimed novel. As a little of filmmaking, it’s candidly effective it’s the story which get in the way. Tilda Swinton plays mother from the teen who continues a killing spree at his school. A direct consequence, her existence falls apart — as well as the aftermath is when the story opens. Ramsay mix-cuts superbly between past and provide: We view Swinton living, apparently alone, in the run-lower house by having an otherwise nice street. She’s clearly uncomfortable there — once we first start to see the house, it’s been decorated with red-colored-colored fresh fresh paint. Ramsay jostles the narrative backward and forward and then we progressively discover how Swinton’s existence found be using this method. She and her husband (John C. Reilly) give birth with a boy after an unforeseen pregnancy. The moment he’s born, Swinton can’t communicate with him, no matter how hard she tries. He screams inside the crib too as with the carriage: Ramsay shows Swinton pushing the 2nd along a NY City Street, where the infant’s infernal squalling drowns out a pneumatic drill. Swinton gets the boy examined for autism she foretells him kindly or firmly, regarding the problem she tries to supply him with hugs. He responds either with outright contempt or total indifference. Meanwhile, he’s all smiles and sun along with his father, who’s convinced (because of not valid reason) the little one’s ill humor is incorporated in the mother’s mind. One warning signal to a different goes unheeded, through the film’s last third, the pileup of apparent signs is unforgivable. I realize you will discover very hard solutions if the involves this kind of psychotic behavior. But We must Discuss Kevin might be a too facile in the way it produces the terrible climax: Just one check this out kid and you also know he’s trouble, yet nobody besides mother are able to see it. (He’s carried out, within the teenage version, by Ezra Burns, who’s spookily peaceful.) I nearly groaned when dear old jumps presented a shiny, brand-new archer’s bow upon his boy, with no conventional father-style warning of, “Here you're going, kid — don’t put anybody’s eye out.” Simply what does be employed in We must Discuss Kevin might be the slow-burning, slow-building mother-and-boy horror story. The look is kind of a nightmare inversion of Mildred Pierce: This mother doesn’t adore her boy, and he or she overcompensates on her behalf neural by trying harder to win him over. He helps it be very tough: Just like a toddler decreasing being toilet-trained, he glares at her defiantly while he’s playing a freshly changed diaper. When she tries to coax him into saying “mommy,” he glares at her, Damian-like, and states, “NO!” Swinton is terrific — this is among her less mannered performances. Her emotional nakedness, her have to perform right factor by her boy whilst he saps her dry, are credible every minute. As well as the more I consider We must Discuss Kevin, the higher I’m glad that Ramsay was the director who handled to obtain. Ramsay is probably not a star-title filmmaker, but she’s already shown herself with two distinctive, perceptively crafted movies, Ratcatcher (1999) and Morvern Callar (2002). She was, for a while, set to evolve The Lovely Bones, but lost the rights to Alice Sebold’s source novel. (Healing For Healing For Peter Jackson directed the next mess.) For Ramsay fans, that whole subject is almost way too hard to think about — it’s painful to visualize the film that might have been, given Ramsay’s apparent-eyed sensitivity and ingeniousness. Here, instead of trying to carry out a soft-shoe around the hallowed bond between moms and sons, Ramsay treads fearlessly into some frightening, unspoken territory. When Swinton comes face-to-face with this particular defiant toddler, it’s apparent which has the surface of the hands, plus it’s not because she hasn’t read all the being a parent books. The fact Swinton can be a resolute, efficient actress only helps to make the point more stark. When among her boy’s which makes it through sufferers — he’s in the mobility device — approaches her all the time to request her how she’s doing (nobody within the old neighborhood might even speak with her), she responds to his kindness with near-quiet yet never-ending gratitude. And Swinton playing a girl searching for kindness is a factor to behold. [Editor’s note: This review came out earlier, in the slightly different form, in Stephanie Zacharek’s Cannes Film Festival coverage.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The X Factor's Astro: "I'm Gonna Be Worldwide!"

Astro After his elimination from The X Factor on December 1, 15-year-old Brooklyn rapper Brian Bradley, aka Astro, stopped by TV Guide Magazine's office to chat about his performances during the competition, advice he'll always remember from the judges, and his plans for the future. TV Guide Magazine: What was the best part of being on The X Factor?Astro: The best part of the experience was basically being able to perform in front of millions of people each week at such a young age. And basically being able to perform in front of four great people in the business, that was great. It's something that a lot of my friends that are trying to break into the music business would only dream of, performing in front of Paula [Abdul], L.A. [Reid], Nicole [Scherzinger] and Simon [Cowell]. That was awesome. TV Guide Magazine: You wrote a lot of original lyrics to songs you performed. What was the process like with your mentor, L.A. Reid?Astro: If they didn't let me rewrite the songs then I would've dropped out a long time ago. Basically I had to fight for that right a little bit to be able to rewrite the songs, but it worked out in my favor. And L.A., he understood me more than most of any of the other judges, than all of the other judges, actually. He let me write my stuff, he let me be me, and I respected that. We picked all the songs together. Some days we'd sit in a room and pick a song. Other days he'd have the song ready and I'd just write it. A lot of times he'd ask for changes, I'd change my verses a few times but it came out great each time so I didn't have a problem. TV Guide Magazine: Was the whole experience what you expected it to be?Astro: It was more than what I expected it to be because to be honest I thought they were going to say you can't write your own stuff, you have to recite the lyrics like everyone else. The fact that they allowed me to write my own music, I appreciate that a lot. I didn't expect it to be like that at all. I wasn't going to try out for X Factor. I wasn't trying to be in a contest. My mom convinced me to audition for The X Factor. And I just said, 'O.K., let me see what it's about. $5 million? Might as well try'. I tried out and it worked out. I got through top seven out of 200,000 so I'm proud. TV Guide Magazine: What was your most challenging performance?Astro: The hardest song was probably Michael Jackson's "Black and White." It's such a powerful song that you don't want to end up saying the wrong thing in a song like that. It took me, like, a day and a half to finish the song completely. TV Guide Magazine: And the easiest?Astro: The easiest was "Jump." Basically I wasn't rapping about anything, if you listen to it. I was just doing what a normal, 2011, modern-day rapper does: rapping about nothing. It was just me having fun. That was the very first one I did. TV Guide Magazine: How has this whole experience affected you?Astro: Now I know that people are watching. Diddy tweeted me when I did the "Missing You" song, and that was crazy. It feels amazing now because I've been doing music since a long time ago. I'm the type of dude that'll make a song and it'll be one of my best songs and I'm like, dang, nobody's even listening. I've only got 4,000 followers. I'd just get mad. I wouldn't even want to put the song up, it's a waste. Now when I put a song up, I've get 150,000 followers, so now if I post a song on Twitter I'll get like 10,000 downloads, at least. So I know people are actually listening now, so it feels much better that people are actually recognizing who I am, instead of just seeing some kid from Brooklyn. TV Guide Magazine: Any advice from the judges that you'll remember?Astro: L.A. said, 'Never let 'em see you sweat.' Basically never let anyone see what gets you mad because that's how they figure out how to annoy you and just pick at you and just get you angry. So I just try to stay a little calmer now because of that. TV Guide Magazine: What are your plans for the future?Astro: I plan to release just as much music as I can. Movies, I should be working on a cartoon, reality show, everything. Everything I could do, like a clothing line, like a lot of things are in the works. I plan on just performing everywhere. I'm gonna be worldwide! -Sydney Bucksbaum Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!